Abstract
We studied methods to effectively manage colostomies in order to enhance the quality of life（QOL）of colostomy patient's by comparing the efficacy of colostomy irrigation with natural evacuation. Questionnaires were sent to 66 patients who had undergone abdomin operineal resection for rectal cancer. Thirty-six patients irrigated their own colostomies and 30 patients evacuated naturally without irrigation. This study revealed that colostomy irrigation was more effective than natural evacuation in enhancing the QOL of colostomy patients,despite the fact that the majority of patients who irrigated their own colostomies experienced stool spillage. It was concluded in this study that medical staff should thus advise patients on more effective techniques of managing their colostomies,in paticular regard to irrigation.
